Monument
Mary Watson's Monument
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Mary Watson’s Monument stands as a poignant tribute to a young European woman who, along with her infant son and two Chinese servants, perished on Lizard Island in 1881 after fleeing an attack. The stone obelisk in Cooktown’s cemetery grounds tells a harrowing tale of isolation and survival. Visitors can read the inscription and reflect on the immense challenges faced by early settlers in remote north Queensland. It is a somber but important historical marker.
Don't miss
- Read the inscription recounting Mary Watson’s ordeal on Lizard Island
- View the monument within the historic Cooktown Cemetery
- Reflect on the story of early European settlement hardships
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Mary Watson's Monument
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inCairns History Walking Tour4.9★ · 57 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$37 per personSee dates →
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Private & flexiblePrivate 8 Hours Mumbai City Sightseeing and Dharavi Slum Tour5★ · 16 travelers7–8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$161 per personSee dates →More attractions in Cooktown